and to chancellor merkel, reports in the u.s. press have suggested that you've said that you believed president putin may not be in touch with reality. is that what you've said? is that what you believe? and could you give us -- you talked to him earlier this week. could you give us a little more insight into what he might be thinking and do you believe that he's a threat to europe? >> you know, obviously every day we're watching the events in eastern ukraine and southern ukraine with deep concern. and i think that what you've seen over the course of the last several months in the midst of this crisis is remarkable unity between the united states and the european union, and the response. we have at the same time offered a diplomatic approach that could resolve this issue. we have been unified in supporting the ukrainian government in kiev, both economically, diplomatically and politically, and we have said that we would apply costs and consequences to the russians if they continued wit their actions. and that's exactly what we've